Question

The site where the protein coat (capsid) synthesized is
A. The plasma membrane of the host
B. Mitochondria of the host
C. Ribosome of the host
D. RNA of the virus
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Answer 1

Hint: A virus is a nucleoprotein and the genetic material is infectious.
The protein coat capsid is made up of small subunits called capsomeres that protect the nucleic acid. These capsomeres are arranged in helical or polyhedral geometric forms.

Complete answer: A virus is a small parasite that cannot reproduce by itself once it infects a susceptible cell.
1. However, a virus can direct the cell machinery to produce more viruses.
2. Most viruses have either RNA or DNA as their genetic material.
3. The nucleic acid may be single-stranded or double-stranded.
4. The virus consists of nucleic acid and an outer shell of protein.
5. In many cases DNA viruses utilize cellular enzymes for the synthesis of their DNA genomes and mRNA, all viruses utilize normal cellular ribosomes, tRNAs, and translation factors for the synthesis of proteins. Since a virus is an obligate intracellular parasite and lacks its own machinery to proceed its life cycle.
6. Thus ribosomes of the host cell are the site of the protein coat or capsid of the virus.

Additional information: Tobacco mosaic virus(TMV) is a classic example of the helical nucleocapsid. In TMV the protein subunits form broken dislike structures.

So the correct answer is option C. Ribosome of the host

Note: As viruses lack ribosome, it can’t synthesize proteins as ribosomes are the site of protein synthesized. So the virus uses the ribosomes of the host cell to synthesize its protein coat by translating the viral mRNA into viral proteins.